Sarawak Polls: Ali Biju withdraws from contesting in Krian

KUCHING: Datuk Ali Biju today announced today that he was withdrawing from contesting the 12th Sarawak state election.

The Sarawak Bersatu vice-chairman had on Monday filed his nomination papers to contest the Krian seat as an Independent candidate.

In a statement, Ali, who is the seat incumbent, said he regretted the fact that his decision to contest in Krian would have affected the good ties shared between Bersatu and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).

"I was advised by top party leaders as well got an assurance from Perikatan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on cooperation within the national political framework between Perikatan Nasional and Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg as GPS chairman," he said.

Ali's prior decision to defend the seat as an Independent was seen as going against the decision by Muhyiddin, who is Bersatu president, that the party would not contest in the 12th Sarawak polls.

Abang Johari, in a media conference yesterday, also expressed his disappointment over Ali's move, as there had been a prior agreement that no Bersatu member will be contesting in the election.

Besides Ali, three other candidates' nomination papers were accepted for the Krian seat, namely Musa Dinggat representing Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB), Danny Kuan of Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) and GPS' Friday Belik.

Ali, who is Saratok MP, first won the Krian seat in 2011 and again in 2016.

In the statement, Ali, who is also Deputy Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, said by pulling out of the race, he was now throwing his full support behind GPS' Friday.

He urged the electorate in Krian, Kalaka and Kabong, all of which come under the Saratok parliamentary constituency, to support the candidates from GPS.

"I am fully confident that this consensus will continue to strengthen ties between Perikatan Nasional and GPS," he said.

Meanwhile, Sarawak Bersatu chairman Senator Jaziri Alkaf Abdillah Suffian said the state party leadership was extremely pleased with Ali's decision as it was in line with the party president and Supreme Council's decision not to contest for the sake of political stability and solidarity with GPS.

"It may have been a difficult decision but he (Ali) has proven himself to be gracious about it. This will be regarded highly by the party president and the Bersatu Sarawak leadership, who appreciate his decision and the sacrifice made.

"It shows that he has prioritised the party to continue the strong relations between PN and GPS," he said in a statement today.

He went on to say that Ali's decision to withdraw was for the sake of political stability and the people of Sarawak, and should be emulated by all politicians.

"The decision by Datuk Ali Biju clearly shows that Sarawak Bersatu remains firm behind the Chief Minister, who is also GPS chairman, in ensuring a big victory in the election," he said.

-- BERNAMA